Update: Increasing Support for Lutheran Reverend Who Participated in Interfaith Event

September 1, 2002

Source: The Washington Times

On September 1, 2002 The Washington Times reported that "a national campaign is swelling in support of the Rev. David Benke, who was expelled from his post as head of the New York-area Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for praying at a Yankee Stadium interfaith event after the terrorist attacks on the city. The 'It's OK to Pray' theme, being pushed by Mr. Benke's supporters in the 2.6 million-member conservative denomination, comes as a church review board considers his appeal that he did not commit 'syncretism' or 'unionism' - forms of heresy by mixing with other faiths or non-Lutherans - by his public prayer. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, Mr. Benke joined with Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu and Protestant clergy members in prayers at Yankee Stadium. He had previously been reprimanded in 1998 for joining in prayers in a city interfaith service for the poor."